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Friday, December 17, 2010

We were gifted a "surprise evening" last night -- a floral arranging class for a dozen of us in my department at work.This was held in the NY flower district, & was SO much fun! (see my handiwork above)The use of unusual elements like cinnamon sticks and horsetail for the "structure" made the class a visual and sensual pleasure!If you live in or around NYC and you're looking for a really fun and creative activity for a group-think of Celadon & Celery, a floral design house that"creates 'green' events that integrate respect for the planets resources with beautiful products and spaces" contact bess@celadoncelery.comhttp://www.celadoncelery.com/site.phpI've been knitting away on my "regular" knitty gifties for friends and colleagues, and I have finished the first "cup cozy" that i am happy with. Its nice to use up scraps of yarn at the same time, this one uses a silk/cashmere for the ivory color, and then miscellaneous wool and merino (some "Love Birds"--the pinky-violet) and some hand-spun silk/alpaca of my own, and the black is some Plymouth Yarns alpaca boucle from "Alpaca Direct".the pattern is simple enough, i just cast on an estimated amount of stitches for the bottom, and since i neglected to increase as the mug widened, i had to make up for it with the short-rowed rib that i picked up at the "handle" side. This is still a bit experimenntal and when i perfect it i'll supply the pattern either here or at Ravelry.How fun to receive a ceramic cup filled with chocolate, or cookies with a nice ribbon atop? and i might add, a very inexpensive but personal touch in a mass-market world.

The colorful background for the cup cozy is courtesy of "Giant Dwarf" -I fell in love with her color cards....i will be hanging them on my wall, they are so beautiful. Sue Eggens' felt colors are an inspiration in themselves.http://www.etsy.com/shop/giantdwarf

Monday, December 13, 2010

This time of year there are not only gifts to make, but since its chilly I find myself making a lot of hand-warmers and scarves. I have gotten caught up in no less than 4 projects!

1-a gift of handwarmers for my friend and (boss) --she doesn't read my blog so i'm safe :Pthis is using my "Pearls" yarn, the color i must say came out really gorgeous. (using "roots and herbs" colorway) 80/20 baby alpaca/silk

2-i wanted to try my Cozy Toes in a jacquard pattern, so hence the ONE hand warmer, will i finish the other one??(its also a mosaic pattern and using some colors i haven't listed yet in case you're wondering) if i ever finish these i will provide the pattern.

3-cozies for cups--for little gifties for colleagues at work, i am too embarrassed to show my first attempt...it looks a little hmm...too 'garage sale' if you know what i mean...!(sometimes the imagination skips the actual 'doing' part)

4-seed stitch hand warmers with an "interlocking" border bit at the cuff.(these are made with 100% alpaca in a natural cream color from Abenaki Farms...gorgeous stuff!)...and very warm.